CHAPTER 7
Jak spent the night at the Underground Hideout. He couldn't sleep, so he just sat up on the bottom bunk of one of the bunk beds watching Daxter twitch peacefully in his sleep. Torn could be heard screaming orders to rookie Underground members. What Jak didn't know was that Jinx was also with the Underground. He learned quickly when the chain-smoking demolition man ambled in nonchalantly and smacked Jak on the back of his head.
"Yo, Goldilocks. Got a mission for ya." Jak continued watching Daxter gloomily. "I said c'mere, and leave the furball here." Jinx clutched Jak by his scarf and dragged him up the stairs and out into the moonlit alley. Jak showed no emotion and refused to even look at Jinx. "Don't be such a downer, Jakkey-boy." Strong grip still on the hero's scarf, Jinx pulled Jak closed and pressed their lips together roughly. Jak gave in to the affectionate move easily, tears pooling behind sparkling cerulean eyes. The pain showing in those delicate orbs shone with greater intensity than usual.
Sensing the boy's misery, Jinx broke the kiss. He reached up to Jak's tear-stained face and wiped away the tears. Jak closed his eyes for a moment, opening his eyes to look at the man before him. His touch was surprisingly gentle.
"A coupla quickies and yer crazy fer me, huh Sunshine?" Jinx joked. He cupped the shorter blond's face in his large hands.
Jak blushed deeply. "Y-you--"
"Yeah, I know Blondie," Jinx smirked, stroking Jak's cheeks with calloused thumbs. Jak leaned in to the touch and closed his eyes. Their faces were but an inch apart the entire time. "How about it, Pretty Boy? I ain't no Prince Charmin' but it could work, yeah?"
Jak buried his face in Jinx's chest. Jak smiled as he breathed in the smell of ash and mus, which had become the greatest smell in the world to him. He felt Jinx's arms wrap around his shaking frame as he began crying once again. This time, however, they were tears of joy rather than misery.
